Social Media Faux Pas: #21-#25

It just keeps getting better … or worse, depending on how you look at it. #fauxfive part 5

21. False advertising

We all do it. We want to look our best. We want to airbrush blemishes, hide faults and pretend we are closer to perfection than we actually are in real life. You don’t have to advertise your faults, but you do have to represent your community well. People are going to see the real you when they get there.

22. Ignoring and deleting negative posts

We hate to see them, we do. But, not everyone loves us. Unless the post is truly vulgar and inappropriate, leave your constructive criticism up and respond. Use inaccurate information as an opportunity to educate the audience. And, let your audience respond. More often than not, your loyal followers will be right there with you, backing you up and showing support.

23. Blocking/avoiding reviews

Most likely, your reviews will be filled with positive, heartwarming and meaningful stories. Encourage your happy families to write a review, and highlight their stories. I started taking screen shots of our 5-star reviews on Facebook and sharing them on our Timeline, asking, “Who will be next?” And, I make sure we respond and thank our constituents for their reviews. And, don’t fear bad reviews, especially if the positive reviews are flowing. Readers are savvy and they tend to know when someone is venting and airing dirty laundry. And, when it is constructive criticism, embrace it and respond. This is a chance to learn about your strengths, areas that can use improvements and help you better focus your messaging to avoid misconceptions.

24. Know your audience

Who is following you on Facebook? Twitter? Pinterest? Know which audiences are where, and tailor your messages to them. Prospective students and parents, current students and parents, young alums, older alums … they all want and need different messages, language and ways of communicating.

25. Focus your energy where it makes a difference.

Can’t get your Twitter followers talking? Is Pinterest becoming a party of one? Is LinkedIn lonely? Decide if your energies are truly warranted in each of these areas lacking in activity. If you know you have a large target audience waiting to be tapped, then come up with a new strategy to reach them. If you’re finding that your audience just isn’t hanging out in one or more outlets, find out where they are and go to them. It’s easier to change your approach than it is to change the behavior of hundreds or even thousands of potential followers.

Do we need another installment of the Social Media Faux Pas? Have I missed anything? Tweet me @stacyjago#fauxfive

Stacy has worked in education for more than 10 years, including positions in communications and admission at both boarding and day schools in New England, Virginia and California. She currently serves as Director of Communications at Cheshire Academy in Connecticut. Outside of work, she is an aspiring photographer.